Self-* Networks: Helping Networks Help Themselves

By Wedge Greene and Barbara Lancaster

Continuing our discussion on Autonomic Networks and Autonomic Communications, we dive into designing and building what we call self-* (pronounced self-star) systems. Self-* is a shortcut term for systems which are designed specifically to be self-organizing and self-managing, including properties such as: self-defining, self-configuring, self-awareness, self-optimizing, self-protecting, self-healing (self-monitoring, self-diagnostics, self-restoration). Further these systems exhibit the structural characteristic of self similarity. This is a drill down companion to last month’s autonomic communications exploring what can and cannot yet be done. Fortunately, self-* systems are available today but it will take determined leadership to change. Specifically, we explore:

• What the architecture looks like,


• How the technology works,


• Where you can get it,


• Changes in the organization necessary to accept these approaches.

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To read the full article, download the PDF.

A version of this article also appeared in Pipeline.

See also Part One: Autonomic Networks - Autonomic Communication.